Impact Fees

Impact fees are charges paid by a proposed development to fund the cost of providing municipal facilities to serve that development. This idea is premised on the concept that when development occurs, it can bring many benefits, but it also affects the existing infrastructure around it by adding more cars, bikes, and pedestrians to the streets, increasing sewer flows into City systems, and infusing additional visitors into the City’s parks and open spaces. In order to accommodate this growth in demand, these facilities require additional capital investment.

In November of 2018, the Portland City Council voted 8-0 to adopt an impact fee ordinance. As of December 19, 2018, the impact fee ordinance applies to all building permit applications, with the exception of any building permit applications associated with a site plan approved by the City of Portland prior to December 19, 2018.